The Mendocino Beacon Celebrates 135 Years.

The Mendocino Beacon began publishing in 1877, when William Heeser started what is today the oldest continuously operating newspaper on the Mendocino Coast. In 1889, Heeser started another paper in Fort Bragg, the Advocate, which he kept until 1892. His son, August "Augie" Heeser, eventually succeeded William as publisher and editor. In 1927, at the age of 29, Augie purchased the Fort Bragg News and the Advocate, and combined them to form the Fort Bragg Advocate and News. He sold the newspaper in 1948, continuing to publish The Beacon. After Augie Heeser died in 1966, The Beacon was acquired by his nephew, Francis "Al" Nichols, who sold it to Mendocino Publishing Co. in 1977.

That same year Mendocino Publishing Co. purchased the Advocate-News, which brought it and The Beacon together under a single owner. Ownership changed once more in 1984, when Donrey Media Group purchased the papers. In 1999, the papers' owner went into partnership with Denver-based MediaNews Group. In 2000, after 123 years, production of The Beacon was moved to the same location as the Fort Bragg Advocate-News. This was no easy decision for Publisher Sharon DiMauro, however, increasing costs made it difficult to justify keeping the Mendocino office open, especially since the majority of work on the paper was done at the Fort Bragg office.

Now days, the Internet version of the Fort Bragg Advocate-News and The Mendocino Beacon provide increased exposure for both our local news and community advertising.

Compiled from the First Edition of The Mendocino Beacon.

WM. H. MEACHAM, EDITOR.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1877.

WE have carefully prepared and published a directory of Mendocino, in the BEACON, and should there be an omission we will be pleased to make a note of it in the next number.

FINE PEACHES. ---We have been shown by Mrs. Nelson, of this city, a sample of peaches picked from trees that grew from the seed. They are of large size, excellent flavor, and are certainly fine peaches for the coast country.

__________________________________

THE Presbyterian Church of this city has recently purchased a magnificent chandelier which should be seen to be appreciated. The congregation should feel proud of this new light as it will compare favorably with any in use this side of the bay.

___________________________________

WE have placed the subscription price of the BEACON at $3. per annum, and hope to receive a good number of subscribers thereby. Parties wishing to send the BEACON to their friends in the EAST, can have it mailed from the publication office for $2.50 per annum.

SALMON CREEK BRIDGE.---We would respectfully call the attention of our Board of Supervisors to the Salmon Creek bridge, which is sadly in need of repairs, and if allowed to remain in its present condition may lead to serious results.

MR. MAHLMAN took to Napa this week an old gentleman who was slightly demented that had been stopping with him some time. He had become old and infirm and unable to work.

______________________________

MR. FRANK KELLY of Casper has gone to San Francisco to purchase goods for his store.

EUGENE BROWN is erecting a new dwelling on his lot on the corner of Ford and Covelo streets. It is intended for rent. It is neat in design and well built, Mr. Keene being the contractor.

A new building is being erected on Main street between Kasten and Lansing by Albert Maxwell for E. W. Potter, to be used as a hardware store. The store now used by Mr. Potter being too small for the purpose, a new and larger one is required.

_________________________________

"WHAT are the Wild Waves Saying" is what we heard a spooney lover exclaim to his guiding star as they stood together admiring the grandeur of the pacific by moonlight. Just then our reporter appeared on the scene and said "I give it up."

______________________________

THE new BEACON office will be completed in a few days, when we shall be pleased to see our friends and those who desire to see us. Our present quarters are inadequate for the purpose and there is but little now to receive visitors. When we are installed in the new office, call and see us.

______________________________

SOME of the boys who had imbibed too freely of Mrs,. Winslow's soothing syrup, or something else just as bad, felt their oats last Tuesday night, and engaged in a little sparring exhibition. Results, bloody noses, a few bruises and a troubled conscience next morning. No bones broken, no arrests made, and no one to blame.

______________________________

THE BEACON, as an advertising medium challenges comparison.

______________________________

WEE LEE, the well known celestial who was crowned in Big River last week was laid peacefully under the sod on Wednesday. The funeral was carried out with all the forms of Oriental splendor. Fire crackers formed a prominent feature in the programme, and a good supply of roast pig and chicken was provided for the lamented Wee Lee for his homeward journey.

______________________________

WE print, at this issue, 600 copies of the BEACON for gratuitous distribution.

______________________________

THE CALIFORNIANS. This Minstrel Company favored our city with a visit Wednesday night, and held forth to a fair house at Carlson's Hall. The performance consisted of music, songs, dances, etc. Charlie Rice acquitted himself in good style in his specialties, and made quite an impression.

"The Two Extremes" was performed in a pleasing manner; likewise "The Masquerade Ball" which concluded the evenings entertainment. The company will visit other towns during the season.

______________________________

ALL kinds of legal blanks can be obtained at the BEACON office.

______________________________

MR. PITTMAN C. HARGRAVE, and wife, late of Casper, are about to leave for Texas. Mr. H. came to California 24 years ago, during which time he made many friends. He now goes to join his father-in-law who has preceeded him. Mr. and Mrs. H. carry with them the best wishes of the community.

IT is the intention of the proprietor of the BEACON to make it a first-class local newspaper, and we invite correspondence from all quarters of the county, on topics of local or general interest. Correspondents, when sending letters will please give their name. It is not our intention to publish names thus sent but we wish them as guarantee of good faith.